Philippines-Australia Friendship Week 2018 goes to Davao
The Australian Embassy, the Davao City Government and the Australia Global Alumni network bring to Davao the Philippines-Australia Friendship Week celebration. The festival kicks off on May 21 at the Davao City Hall with a proclamation of Philippines-Australia Friendship Week, and will culminate in a three-day festival and concert at SM Lanang Premier on the weekend of May 25-27.
Australian Ambassador to the Philippines Amanda Gorely said, “We mark Philippines-Australia Friendship Day on May 22 and each year, we aim to bring the celebration to a different city. This year, we are pleased to celebrate Philippine-Australia Week in Davao.”
“We are grateful to Mayor Sara Duterte and the city government for declaring a Philippines-Australia Friendship Week in Davao and for supporting this festival,” the Ambassador added.
“The City Government of Davao recognizes the enduring friendship between the Philippines and Australia. I invite my fellow Davaoeños to celebrate Philippines-Australia Friendship week,” Mayor Sara Duterte said.
The weekend festival at SM Lanang Premier will feature booths by Australiaeducated entrepreneurs; booths from Australian universities; and a visa information session led by the Embassy’s Chief Immigration Officer. As part of the celebration, shoppers at SM Lanang Premier and SM City Ecoland will get a chance to win tickets for two to Australia via Qantas.
“This festival is also our opportunity to share with Davaoeños Australian culture — our art, music and sports,” said the Ambassador.
Through music and the Yiwarra Kuju: The Canning Stock Route graphic panel exhibit, Filipinos will be able to experience Australian Indigenous culture.
The highlight of the Philippines Australia Friendship Week is a concert on Saturday, May 26 at 6:00 p.m. at SM Lanang Premier. The concert will feature Indigenous Australian didgeridoo artist Jeremy Donovan; legendary singer Pilita Corrales, and Davao’s young acts making a splash in the international music scene — indie band Thea and beatboxer Neil Llanes.
Davao’s strong and influential network of alumni are co-hosting a rugby tournament and clinics with the Philippine Football Rugby Union (PRFU) to promote the game among the youth.
The Ambassador said, “We have many reasons to celebrate in Davao. We celebrate our alumni and their individual and combined accomplishments. We celebrate seven decades of friendship between the Philippines and Australia, made stronger by the Australia Global Alumni.”
“Over the years, Australia has worked with Mindanao on education, with a third of our Australia Award scholars coming from the region. We will continue to support the Philippine Government’s goals through our development programs supporting stability, peace and prosperity,” said Ambassador Gorely.
Australia’s development investments in the Philippines for 2017-18 is an estimated AUD $85 million.
For more information about the Philippines–Australia Friendship Week celebration, visit www.philippines.embassy.gov.au. Like Australia in the Philippines on Facebook and follow @AusAmbPH on Twitter, @AusEmbPH on Instagram.